Car washing apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a device for washing a part of the front, one side and a part of the rear of the car. A brush is coupled to a system of three arms interconnected and controlled to automatically draw the brush across the front of the car when the car pushes the brush forwardly. The brush is controlled to reverse direction after washing the front number plate and to move relatively freely around car projections at the junction of the front and side of the car.

United States Patent Barber CAR WASHING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Ivan Barber, 559 Evans Ave.,

Toronto 14, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: July 15, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 163,024

[52] L8. Cl. ..l5/2l D, IS/DIG. 2 [51] Int. Cl. ..B60s 3/06 [58] Field of Search ..l5/DIG. 2, 21 D, 21 E, 53,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS Barber ..15/2l D [151 3,691,578 Sept. 19,1972

Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney-Rogers, Bereskin & Parr [5 7] ABSTRACT The present invention provides a device for washing a part of the front, one side anda part of the rear of the car. A brush is coupled to a system of three arms interconnected and controlled to automatically draw the brush across the front of the car when the car pushes the brush forwardly. The brush is controlled to reverse direction after washing the front number plate and to move relatively freely around car projections at the junction of the front and side of the car.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PITENTED E I9 3,691., 578

am a nr 3 A IR SUPPL Y FILTER LUBR/CATORI VENT FIRST ARM SECOND ARM AC TUA TOR AC TUA TOR H YDRA UL IC SUPPL Y FIG. 2

CAR WASHING APPARATUS This invention relates to a device for automatically washing the front, side and rear of a car as the car passes through a booth containing the device.

Several types of car washing devices have been proposed for automatically washing the front, sides and rear of a car. One of the earlier devices includes a first arm normally extending transversely of the car path and pivotally mounted at one end to a fixed support structure. A second arm is pivotally connected to the free end of the first arm and extends forwardly to support a rotary brush at the free end of the second arm. A device of this type is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,350,733. In use, the forwardly moving car engages and carries the brush forwardly, simultaneously pivoting the first arm forwardly and transversely away from the car. In order that the car can continue to exert sufficient force to move the brush transversely over the front of the car, the pivot at the fixed support must be remote from the side of the car. This design requirement is emphasized by many cars having forwardly projecting front corners which tend to hold the brush against transverse travel.

A more recent type of washing device is shown in my co-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 773,526 filed on Nov. 5, 1968, and now US. Pat. No. 3,624,851. This device consists essentially of a first arm which extends rearwardly and is pivotally supported at one end to a fixed support structure for rotation about a vertical first axis. A second arm extends transversely and is pivotally supported at one end from the free end of the first arm for rotation about a vertical second axis. The second arm carries a cleaning brush at its free end for rotation about a vertical brush axis. The arms are controlled so that when the car pushes the brush forwardly, this forward movement is sensed and an actuator commences to move the first arm angularly about the pivot on the fixed support structure thereby pulling the brush across the front of the car. Also, when the brush begins to move rearwardly along the side of the car the first arm is biased towards its original position to maintain the brush against the side of the car and then to move the brush inwardly across the rear of the car and into its original position.

While proving satisfactorily in service, there is a pos' sibility of damage should the device fail to draw the brush transversely across the front of the car. Also, the control system for this type of device is relatively com plex. It would therefore be preferable to provide a device having a brush which moves across the front of the car automatically under the influence of forward movement of the car. This would reduce the risk of damage and simplify the control system.

Accordingly in one of its aspects, the present invention provides a car washing device which includes a first arm and a second arm as previously described with reference to the type shown in my aforementioned copending application. The invention further includes a third arm pivotally connected to both the first and second arms at the pivotal interconnection of these arms. The opposite end of the third arm is coupled to the fixed support structure for longitudinal sliding movement and for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. The third arm includes an extension in engagement with a portion of the second arm to prevent forward angular movement of the second arm relative to its pivotal connection with the first arm when the car initially pushes the brush. Further forward movement of the car results in force on the second arm which is transmitted to the third arm through the third arm ex tension so that the third arm slides and rotates relative to the fixed support structure and the brush moves transversely along a path controlled primarily by the first and third arms.

According to another aspect of the invention, a control system is provided which initially rotates the cleaning brush in a direction such that the fibers of the brush initially move from the center of the car towards the side of the car in cleaning the number plate. After cleaning the number plate, the direction of rotation of the brush is reversed and then as the brush approaches the outer extremity of the front of the car a force holding the brush against the front of the car is released and the brush is allowed to rotate and effectively roll across the remainder of the front of the car to clear projections at the corners between the front and side of the car.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention in a rest position and viewed rearwardly from the front of the device to show a portion of a car moving forwardly past the device, the device being arranged to clean the right side of the car;

FlG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a control system for controlling the movements of the device; and

FIGS. 3 to 6 are diagrammatic representations of the left of a car being washed by a device which is a mirror image of the device shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating movements in transporting a washing brush past a part of the front, along the left side and across a part of the rear of the car.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1 which shows a device 10 according to the invention for washing part of the front, one side, and part of the rear of a car 12 drawn by a conventional conveyor 14 past the device 10.

The device 10 consists essentially of a fixed support structure 16 to which is pivotally coupled a first arm 18 extending generally rearwardly and transversely and terminating at a pivotal connection to a second arm 20 and to a third arm 22. The third arm 22 projects forwardly and transversely from a pivotal connection in a longitudinal track 24 mounted on the fixed framework 16. A conventional car washing brush 26 is rotatably mounted at the free end of second arm 20 and is driven by a hydraulic motor 28 for cleaning the car 12. Water is available on the brush from a pressure outlet 30 on the second arm 20.

The support structure 16 is anchored to a booth (not shown) containing the device and. may have any suitable form. Structure 16 is typical of many suitable support structures and consists of respective forward and rearward uprights 32, 34 and upper and lower members 36, 38 which meet the uprights 32., 34 to form a rectangular framework. Respective upper and lower projections 40, 42 project transversely and in spaced-apart parallel relationship from the upright 32 for pivotally supporting the first arm 18 at brackets 44, 46.

The brackets 44, 46 are spaced-apart sufficiently to substantially prevent twisting of the first and second arms about a horizontal axis and are mounted on an arm upright 48 which is parallel to and spaced from a further arm upright 50. The uprights 48, 50 are welded at their ends to respective horizontal upper and lower members 52, 54 which begin at the upright 48 and project beyond upright 50 terminating at respective bearings 56, 58. An axle 60 passes through the bearings 56, 58 and is coupled to second arm for rotation in the bearings 56, 58.

The second arm 20 consists of a tubular upright 62 from which spaced-apart and horizontal channel members 64, 66 are dependent. Brush 26 is mounted on a shaft 68 rotatable in bearings 70, 72 on respective members 64, 66 and coupled to the hydraulic motor 28 for driving the brush 26. An upright projection or stop 74 is welded to the top of channel member 64 to combine with the free end of third arm 22. The purpose of the projection 74 and its combination with the third arm 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

Device 10 is shown in position ready to wash the car 12. Third arm 22 projects generally transversely and slightly towards the car 12 and a cranked distal end portion of arm 22 engages with the projection 74. The arm 22 has a bearing 76 engaged on axle 60 to permit the third arm 22 to pivot about the axle 60 and a structure 78 is provided an an outer end of arm 22 to permit rotation of the arm 22 about that end and to allow longitudinal sliding motion along longitudinal track 24.

-The track 24 consists of a pair of horizontal members 80, 82 spaced-apart to guide the structure 78 longitudinally. Members 80, 82 extend longitudinally between rearward upright 34 and a short intermediate upright 84 extending downwardly from upper member 36 of the structure 16.

The first arm 18 is movable about a vertical first axis through the pivotal connections between projections 40, 42 and brackets 44, 46 on arm 18. To move the arm, a first actuator 86 is pivotally coupled to a bracket 88 on forward upright 32 of the support structure and to a lug 90 welded to a horizontal member 92 extending between uprights 48, 50 on the first arm. The actuator 86 is controlled by a pneumatic circuit which forces oil into the actuator 86 as will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

A second actuator 94 is provided for changing the relative angular positions of the first and second arms. The actuator 94 is pivotally connected to a bracket 96 welded on upright 50 of the first arm and to a web 98 welded between member 64 and upright 62 of the second arm.

Pneumatic switches are provided for combining with cams to sense angular positions of the first and second arms for sequentially supplying pressurized oil to the actuators 86, 94. In particular, a pair of cams 100, 102 are attached to arm 18 for movement with the arm about the first axis passing through the pivotal connections of the arm to the support structure 16. Corresponding switches 104, 106 are attached to the underside of projection 40 for combining with respective cams 100, 102 to control the actuators as will be described with reference to FIG. 6. A similar arrangement is provided about the second axis coincident with the axis of axle 60. A cam 108 is attached to the axle 60 and moves with the arm 20. A corresponding switch 110 is attached to the top of member 52 of the second arm 18 for combining with the cam 108. The function of the cams and switches will be better understood with reference to subsequent description.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 2 to 6 to describe the operation of the device in washing first a half of the front ofa car, then one side and finally a half of the rear of a car. The control system is shown in FIG. 2 in a position corresponding to the position of the device 10 in FIG. 3. Initially the brush 26 is rotating in a position substantially at the center line of travel of a car 12 passing through a booth containing the device 10. Brush 26 is held in this position by actuator 86 tending to rotate arm 18 transversely about first axis 112 passing through the pivotal connection of first arm 18 to the support structure 16 as previously described. The actuator 86 forces the arm 18 outwards so that third arm 22 tends to follow and its outer end engages projection 74 on second arm 20 as shown in FIG. 3. This position will be referred to as the rest position of the device 10.

Referring primarily to FIG. 2, the control system is in the position shown. Air is supplied through a filter, voltage regulator, and lubricator to three lines 116, 118 and 120 which lead through respective pressure reducing valves to the spring-loaded switches 104, 106 and 110. These switches are normally in a closed or vented position and are controlled by the cams 100, 102 and 108 previously described with reference to FIG. 1. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the switch 110 is held in an open position by cam 108 so that air passes from line 1 16 to a reservoir 122 containing oil which is forced by the air pressure into first arm actuator 86 to apply a force on arm 18 (FIG. 1) as previously described. A second reservoir 124 contains oil displaced from the opposite end of actuator 86 so that the actuator is continuously filled with oil. This arrangement is used because the substantially incompressible oil provides a more positive actuator control and because the actuator is lubricated continuously.

In the position shown, the switch 104 is in a closed position so that no pressure is available at the second arm actuator 94 which is coupled to a reservoir 126 and to a further reservoir 128 so that this actuator is also continuously filled with oil. However, unlike reservoir 124 and actuator 86, the reservoir 128 is coupled to actuator 94 through a one-way restrictor 130. This restrictor permits full-line flow from reservoir 128 into the actuator 94 but restricts flow from the actuator into the reservoir 128, for reasons which will be explained.

Switch 106 is held in an open position by cam 102 (FIG. 1) so that pressure is applied from line 120 at a spring-loaded four'way valve 131. Air reaches valve 131 through a one-way restrictor 132 which is similar in construction to restrictor 130. However, in this case air from switch 106 is restricted in flowing to valve 131 whereas air from valve 131 can flow freely back to switch 106 for venting this part of the system when switch 106 is in a closed position as will be described. With the valve 131 in the position shown, hydraulic fluid is supplied to the motor to drive the motor clockwise as shown in FIG. 3. When the valve 131 is switched into its other position, the flow of fluid to the motor is switched resulting in the motor reversing direction as will be described.

Returning now to FIG. 3, the brush 26 is rotating in a clockwise direction and the first actuator 86 is pressurized to maintain the first arm in the position shown. Actuator 94 is not pressurized and a combination of third arm 22 and projection 74 prevents the second arm from rotating about second axis 114 relative to third arm 22. As the car moves forwards it exerts a longitudinal force on the brush 26 which is transmitted by projection 74 on the second arm 20 to the third arm 22. Because of the magnitude of the force involved, the first actuator 86 is unable to maintain the brush 26 in this position and oil bleeds from the actuator back into reservoir 122 tending to compress air in the reservoir above the oil level. However, the reducing valve includes a bleed device to ensure a substantially constant pressure in the reservoir 122. The actuator consequently tends to maintain the brush in relatively close contact with the front of the car.

The force exerted by the car results in the second and third arms 20, 22 tending to turn about a second axis 114 as a unit. However, because the third arm 22 is engaged in the longitudinal track 24, the third and second arms rotate about axis 114 while the end of arm 22 slides longitudinally along track 24 causing the axis 114 to move transversely towards the fixed support structure 16. After about 6 inches of this movement the cam 102 (FIG. 1) allows the switch 106 to move into a closed position so that air from pilot of valve 131 can vent to atmosphere and allow valve 131 to move into a closed position. Air vents relatively quickly from valve 131 through the one-way restrictor 132 and the motor direction is reversed. This short movement in a clockwise direction permits the brush to pass over number plates without bending the number plate and then once clear of the number plate the brush reverses to rotate in a preferred direction.

As the car continues to move forwardly, the brush moves transversely controlled by a combination of the second and third arms. The reactive force from the actuator 86 ensures that the brush is in close contact with the car front. However, because many modern cars have projections extending forwardly adjacent the side of the car, there is a tendency for the brush to encounter difficulty in passing from the front of the car to the side of the car. To obviate this problem the brush is allowed to continue transversely held against the car by actuator 86 only until the first arm 18 and second arm 20 reach a position shown in chain-dotted outline in FIG. 3. These arms are then generally at right angles. At this point the cam 108 (FIG. 1) positioned about axis 114 permits the switch 110 to move into a closed position to vent the subsequent circuit and remove pressure from the actuator 86. The brush, because of its direction of rotation now tends to roll off the front of the car and the arms and brush move into the chaindotted outline positions shown in FIG. 4. At this point cam 100 operates switch 104 to apply pressure to cylinder 126 thereby forcing oil into the actuator 94. The actuator then separates the first and second arms so that the brush is moved along the side of the car. As soon as the angle between the first and second arms again reaches approximately 90, the switch 110 is moved into an open position by the cam 108 (FIG. 1). Both actuators 86 and 94 are now tending to straighten the arms 18 and 20 towards the FIG. 5 position.

Actuator 94 will continue to apply a force until first arm 18 returns to the position shown in chain-dotted outline in FIG. 4 whereupon the switch 104 is returned to its FIG. 2 position thereby removing pressure from the actuator 94. In expanding from the FIG. 4 to the FIG. 5 position, the actuator 94 forces oil through the one-way restrictor which slows the speed of this operation to ensure that the brush passes slowly along the side of the car. When the actuator 94 is being closed in passing between the FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 positions, oil is passing relatively freely through the oneway restrictor in the opposite direction.

The device remains in the FIG. 5 position with actuator 86 applying a force to maintain the brush against the side of the car until the end or rear of the car is reached. The actuator then supplies sufficient force to cause the brush to travel transversely remaining in contact with the rear of the car until the FIG. 3 position is reached when the device is ready for another car.

Although in FIGS. 3 to 6 the device has been shown for washing the left hand part of the car, it will be realized that a device which is a mirror image of the device 10 will be provided for washing the right hand part of the car. For simplicity of drawing, FIG. 1 shows such a device for washing the right side while FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate a device used in washing the left side. The second brush and support control mechanisms will be staggered along the line of wash from the apparatus illustrated.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A device for sequentially applying a car washing brush firstly against a part of the front, then against one side, and finally against a part of the rear of the car as the car passes the device, the device being normally in a rest position and comprising:

a fixed support structure;

a first arm pivotally coupled at a first of its ends to the support structure for rotation about a substantially vertical first axis, the arm normally extending rearwardly and transversely of the path followed by the car in passing the device;

a second arm pivotally, coupled at a first of its ends to the opposite end of the first arm for rotation about a substantially vertical second axis, the second arm normally extending generally transversely and including means mounting the brush for rotation about a vertical brush axis;

a third arm pivotally coupled to the first and second arms for rotation about said second axis and coupled to the framework for pivotal and longitudinal movement relative to the framework, the third arm normally extending generally forwardly and transversely from the framework;

the second and third arms including stop means whereby a forward force applied by the car on the brush is transmitted from the second to the third arm to prevent initial relative angular movement of the second and third arms when the car first engages the brush whereupon a continued forward force applied by the car results in the second axis moving transversely thereby drawing the brush across the front of the car; and

means adapted to bias the first arm angularly towards the path of the car whereby the brush is held in engagement against the car front.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the stop means comprises a portion of the third arm extending generally transversely beyond said second axis and an upright of the second arm positioned in engagement with said portion of the third arm when the device is in the rest position.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the bias means is a first actuator, and in which the device further comprises a control means coupled to the first actuator and adapted to connect the first actuator to a supply of pressurized fluid.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the control means comprises a switch sensitive to the relative angular positions of the first and second arms and coupled to the first actuator to disconnect the supply of pressurized fluid when the angle between the first and second arms is reduced to approximately 90 degrees.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 and further comprising a second actuator coupled to the first and second arms and operably coupled to the control means for supply of pressurized fluid to the second actuator to increase the angle between the first and second arms.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising a second actuator coupled to the first and second arms for increasing the angle between the first and second arms, and wherein the control means is also coupled to the second actuator and adapted to connect the second actuator to a supply of pressurized fluid, the control means further comprising a switch sensitive to the angular position of the first arm and coupled to the second actuator to connect the supply of pressurized fluid to the second actuator when the first arm has moved from the rest position towards the framework and reached a predetermined angle.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: a hydraulic motor coupled to the second arm and operable to rotate the brush selectively in one of two directions about said brush axis; and control means sensitive to a predetermined angular position of the first arm for supplying pressurized oil to the motor so that in the rest position the brush rotates in one of said directions and the brush fibers scrub the front of the car in a direction from the center of the car towards the framework and for reversing the flow of oil to the motor when the first arm reaches said predetermined angular position so that the brush then rotates in the other of said directions. 

1. A device for sequentially applying a car washing brush firstly against a part of the front, then against one side, and finally against a part of the rear of the car as the car passes the device, the device being normally in a rest position and comprising: a fixed support structure; a first arm pivotally coupled at a first of its ends to the support structure for rotation about a substantially vertical first axis, the arm normally extending rearwardly and transversely of the path followed bY the car in passing the device; a second arm pivotally coupled at a first of its ends to the opposite end of the first arm for rotation about a substantially vertical second axis, the second arm normally extending generally transversely and including means mounting the brush for rotation about a vertical brush axis; a third arm pivotally coupled to the first and second arms for rotation about said second axis and coupled to the framework for pivotal and longitudinal movement relative to the framework, the third arm normally extending generally forwardly and transversely from the framework; the second and third arms including stop means whereby a forward force applied by the car on the brush is transmitted from the second to the third arm to prevent initial relative angular movement of the second and third arms when the car first engages the brush whereupon a continued forward force applied by the car results in the second axis moving transversely thereby drawing the brush across the front of the car; and means adapted to bias the first arm angularly towards the path of the car whereby the brush is held in engagement against the car front.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the stop means comprises a portion of the third arm extending generally transversely beyond said second axis and an upright of the second arm positioned in engagement with said portion of the third arm when the device is in the rest position.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the bias means is a first actuator, and in which the device further comprises a control means coupled to the first actuator and adapted to connect the first actuator to a supply of pressurized fluid.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the control means comprises a switch sensitive to the relative angular positions of the first and second arms and coupled to the first actuator to disconnect the supply of pressurized fluid when the angle between the first and second arms is reduced to approximately 90 degrees.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 3 and further comprising a second actuator coupled to the first and second arms and operably coupled to the control means for supply of pressurized fluid to the second actuator to increase the angle between the first and second arms.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising a second actuator coupled to the first and second arms for increasing the angle between the first and second arms, and wherein the control means is also coupled to the second actuator and adapted to connect the second actuator to a supply of pressurized fluid, the control means further comprising a switch sensitive to the angular position of the first arm and coupled to the second actuator to connect the supply of pressurized fluid to the second actuator when the first arm has moved from the rest position towards the framework and reached a predetermined angle.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: a hydraulic motor coupled to the second arm and operable to rotate the brush selectively in one of two directions about said brush axis; and control means sensitive to a predetermined angular position of the first arm for supplying pressurized oil to the motor so that in the rest position the brush rotates in one of said directions and the brush fibers scrub the front of the car in a direction from the center of the car towards the framework and for reversing the flow of oil to the motor when the first arm reaches said predetermined angular position so that the brush then rotates in the other of said directions. 